Bali fitness circles (and beyond) band together in a ‘4×48’ workout challenge to raise funds for better mental health services

Photo: Unsplash/Victor Freitas.
Photo: Unsplash/Victor Freitas.

While Bali is famous for its sandy beaches, nightclubs, and idyllic paddy fields, it does not mean that people in the tropical island are immune to mental health struggles. 

In fact, according to this local report, the number of suicides in Bali has been increasing, especially since the onset of the pandemic. 

We at Coconuts Bali have reported on several such cases of people ending their lives in the past year and it really breaks our hearts every time we write a story about people leaving us too soon.

It is not like Bali does not have any organizations dedicated to mental health issues. There is the Suryani Institute, which is dedicated to helping people with mental health struggles. There is also Bali Bersama Bisa, a collaboration between a number of NGOs and communities on the island that launched a mental health and suicide prevention helpline, Love Inside Suicide Awareness, or LISA, last year.

Despite this, it is clear that the existing mental health supports still lack resources, as evidenced by LISA not being available 24/7 as originally planned.

To improve this situation, the Right Reasons Funding charity organization, together with Bali Bersama Bisa, popular CrossFit Box and wellness center Wanderlust Fitness Village, and Shuffle & Strides. a weekly run/walk club focusing on mental health wellbeing, are organizing a “4×48 Smashing Mental Health Challenge” to raise funds to provide better access to mental health services. 

The event is open to anyone – with many fitness coaches and enthusiasts in Bali already pledging their support. Each workout has been tailored to not only be physically challenging but also serves as an ode to overcoming mental health struggles. 

Are you ready to lift and lift each other up?

Sign up here. You can also donate here. Find Wanderlust Fitness Village here.

For more information about LISA, you can head on over to this website.



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